12 injured in explosion near Cairo airport

By

Ray Downs

Emergency personnel arrive at the scene after a large explosion at a military owned petrochemical plant near Cairo International Airport, Cairo, early Friday. Twelve people were injured in the blast. Photo by Mohamed Hossam/EPA-EFE

July 12 (UPI) -- At least 12 people sustained injuries after an explosion at a military-owned petrochemical plant near the Cairo International Airport on Thursday, the military said.

No deaths were reported. The severity of the injuries were not released.

Two fuel tanks belonging to the company were the source of the blast, military officials said. They blamed hot weather for the incident.

"Because of high temperature, one of the petrochemical vessels exploded," an Egyptian army spokesman said in a statement on Facebook, according to Ahram Online.

Temperatures in the Egyptian capital were in the high 90s throughout the day.

After the blast, the military sent firefighters to contain the fire and rescue teams to tend to the victims.